Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso was left with mixed feelings on Tuesday night after his side’s narrow 1-0 victory over AmaZulu in the Betway Premiership. While the three points kept the Brazilians firmly in the title race, Cardoso made no secret of his displeasure with the playing surface at Moses Mabhida Stadium, labelling it “horrible” and “unworthy of professional football.”
Victory Overshadowed by Pitch Concerns
Sundowns secured the win thanks to a first-half strike from Peter Shalulile, but Cardoso said the state of the pitch made it difficult for his players to execute their usual free-flowing style. He described the grass as patchy, uneven, and prone to unpredictable bounces a factor he believes hampered both teams’ performance.
“It’s disappointing to play on a surface like this in our top league,” Cardoso said after the match. “Players can’t express themselves, and the ball doesn’t move the way it should. We must raise the standards if we want to improve our football.”
Focus on Recovery and Next Challenge
Despite his frustration, the Portuguese tactician praised his players for adapting to the conditions and grinding out the win against a resilient AmaZulu side. Cardoso said his focus now shifts to ensuring the squad recovers quickly, as Sundowns face a demanding fixture schedule in both domestic and continental competitions.
“This team has quality, but we can’t control the pitch,” he added. “We control our effort, our organisation, and our hunger to win and that’s what got us through tonight.”
The win keeps Sundowns in close contention at the top of the Betway Premiership standings, but Cardoso’s comments are likely to add pressure on stadium management and league officials to address pitch maintenance issues, especially at high-profile venues.
Mamelodi Sundowns: Winning Ugly, Staying in the Hunt
While Sundowns left Durban with all three points, Cardoso’s sharp criticism of the pitch highlighted a growing concern about stadium conditions in the PSL. If the league is to maintain its reputation and attract global attention, pitch quality must match the talent on display. For now, the Brazilians remain in the hunt for the title even if they have to fight for it on fields far from perfect.
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